Jennifer Harris:
Hey there! My name is Jennifer Harris and I just want to share a little bit about myself. I grew up in Northeast Tennessee, where my parents and sister still live. I moved to Maryland 9 years ago, shortly after graduating from Radford University in Virginia. I have been teaching for 9 years, all of which have been at College Gardens. I live in Urbana with my son, Ben, who is 14 years old. We have 2 cats, Parker and Brewster, along with 1 hermit crab, Dragonball. I spend most of my free time with my son playing soccer and enjoying the outdoors. I love hiking, running, listening to and playing music (I play the cello, piano, and guitar), animals (especially sloths) and spending time with my family and friends. I am a huge football and soccer fan, too. I am SUPER excited about this year and know we are going to have the best year ever!
Hi! My name is Nazia Asjid. This is my fifth year at College Gardens, but I am new to the fourth grade team. I received my degree from Towson University in Elementary Education Grade 1-6 and Special Education Grade 1-8 in 2011. This summer, I finished my Master's degree in Middle School Mathematics. I have three beautiful children: one girl and two boys. I have been in Maryland for eleven years. I love to travel and learn new things!
Let's start a fantastic year!
Hi All! My name is Janessa Ford. I am new to the fourth grade team, but not new to College Gardens. This will be my sixth year teaching, but my third at College Gardens. For the past two years I have been the reading initiative teacher. I received my degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2009. This fall, I am starting my Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction at McDaniel College. I am so excited for this new adventure!
A little bit more about ME! I grew up and lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I met my husband, Dan in 2007 while playing college softball and he was on the baseball team. We got married in the summer of 2013, and moved to Germantown, Maryland. Last Valentine's Day, we had our son-Robinson. He is now six months and is our everything. We also have two boxers-Lexi and Tyson! So our lives are pretty busy. I love to travel, sports, the beach, and shoes.
Let's get this year started!
Alison Wade:
Hello! My name is Alison Wade. I have been teaching at College Gardens Elementary School for the past 10 years and this is my 12th year of teaching. I received my Master's degree in Instructional Technology. I love integrating new and interactive technology into my instruction. This year is going to be a blast!
On a more personal note, I grew up in Rockville but reside in Clarksburg and have lived in MD most of my life (except for a few years out in Los Angeles, CA). I got married 6 years ago to a jeweler named Jason. We have an adorable black lab named Jazzy and a handsome three year old son named Eli. I love the outdoors, music, painting, and spending time at the beach. This year is going to be awesome!
Charlene Hernandez:
My name is Charlene Hernandez. I have been at this school for eight years. I am excited to be the team leader of the wonderful fourth grade team. I have also taught kindergarten, first grade, and third grade in years past. I love learning new things and always enjoy a challenge. I love watching students set goals and meet them. I look forward to getting to know each child and working to meet their individual needs. I am a firm advocate of behaviors having direct consequences, both positive and negative and children being accountable for their behavior. I love to challenge students and enjoy watching them rise to the challenges presented. I LOVE volunteers assisting both outside and inside the classroom and look forward to working with all of you.
Tong Yao:
Hi, I am Yao Lao Shi, and I am very excited to continue teaching at College Gardens ES this year as the 4th and 5th grade CI teacher. I earned my master’s degree in Educational Psychology in Beijing, China where I was born. In 2002, I came to America with my husband and daughter. Before moving to Maryland, I’ve lived in many different places. I’ve lived in Denver, Colorado where we often went on vacation to the Rocky Mountains. From Denver I moved to Charleston, South Carolina where I sat on Myrtle Beach enjoying the sunset while being eaten alive by giant mosquitoes. Now I am in Maryland, and the year-round beautiful view around of me is truly a pleasant! :)
I am looking forward to a great year with you all!
好好学习，天天向上。让我们一起加油！
